Attack on Kronstadt (1704)

After conquering the island of Kotlin from the Swedes in 1703 along with Nyen and Nöteborg, Russia began construction of a fortress on the island, which they named Kronslot. Early on, it consisted of a three tiered tower which had been designed by Peter I personally. The fortress' purpose was to defend the entrance to the planned city of Saint Petersburg. == Attack ==

In the summer of 1704, a Swedish fleet of 1–2 ship(s) of the line, 5–8 frigates, several smaller ships, 5 brigantines, and 1,000 men led by Jacob De Prou sailed towards Kronstadt with the mission to "cover His Majesty's sea coasts from hostile invasions and incursions", along with destroying the makings of a Russian Baltic fleet stationed there. It arrived in Kotlin on 8 July, but soon found that the Russian positions were already significantly strong. Despite this, de Prou landed his 1,000 men and assaulted two redoubts defended by 500 Russian troops. After defeating these, the Swedes took all of their artillery. Even after defeating the 500 Russians, de Prou was forced to withdraw after his inconclusive shelling of the fortifications and ships on the island. == Aftermath ==

In his report to Charles XII after the attack, he described the need to withdraw because of the Russians' "condition at sea was in a much better condition than could ever have been believed or imagined". However, he emphasized attacking the fortress with adequate forces since "the sooner the better to be ruined and thrown overboard to be able to prohibit him from eventually bringing a naval power in the Baltic Sea, to the detriment and expense of Your Royal Majesty and its council, to which he has already made such a beginning." == See also ==